From tonight Premier League matches will feature tributes to the UK's armed forces with funds raised for the Royal British Legion.
Starting with Leicester City v Nottingham Forest at King Power Stadium, fixtures over the weekends of 25-27 October, 2-4 November and 9-10 November 2024, will have clubs, players and fans showing their support for the Royal British Legion.
Activities such as periods of silence and wreaths being laid ahead of kick-offs will take place as well as players and match officials wearing special-edition shirts embroidered with poppies.
The players' match-worn shirts will be signed and made available to purchase in an auction throughout November and December, with the funds raised going to the Royal British Legion.
The Premier League has been proud to support the Royal British Legion since 2012, making a significant contribution towards providing vital help for people in the Armed Forces community.
Most of the Premier League clubs' auctions will be available on the Match Worn Shirt website. As well as being able to bid in the auctions, fans will have the chance to win a shirt signed by one of the participating squads in a giveaway on the Match Worn Shirt site.
🌹 This November, football clubs across the UK will show their support for the @PoppyLegion by wearing the poppy emblem on their shirts. Starting this weekend, you can own your favourite player's shirt while raising funds for this year’s #PoppyAppeal.
— MatchWornShirt (@MatchWornShirt) October 21, 2024
🔗 https://t.co/weP5Z9fl7g pic.twitter.com/PLlNTr32mp
The auctioning of these shirts has helped to raised more than £4.7million in total for the charity. Fans can also show their support with a club-branded pin badge.
Go to the Premier League's Poppy page to get updates on which auctions are live.
Every donation to the Poppy Appeal helps the Royal British Legion continue to provide vital support to veterans, serving personnel and their families, through such difficulties as homelessness, unemployment and poor mental health.
This year's appeal highlights the mental scars linked to military service. Battlefield trauma and mental health issues can manifest at any time in life and in different ways, including addiction, debt, homelessness, and relationship breakdowns.